Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a display that displays images, a light source that irradiates light toward a back surface of the display, a metal material that radiates heat generated by the light source, a protective part provided in proximity to the perimeter of the display, wherein the protective part opposes the metal material, and a conductive part interposed between and electrically connects the protective part and the metal material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of and, thereby,claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/249,455 filed on Apr. 10, 2014, titled, “DISPLAY DEVICE,” whichclaims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. JP2013-084395, filedon Apr. 12, 2013. The contents of the priority applications areincorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display device such as a liquidcrystal display device.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

Conventionally, in a liquid crystal display device, sheet metal of zeropotential and a bezel are electrically connected using a screw as acountermeasure against electrostatic discharge (ESD) or electromagneticinterference (EMI).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a rear frame of aconventional liquid crystal display device.

A rear frame 180 is configured by combining a top frame 180A composed ofsheet metal, a left frame 180B likewise composed of sheet metal, a rightframe 180C likewise composed of sheet metal, and a bottom frame 180Dlikewise composed of sheet metal.

In the rear frame 180, any one of the frames 180A to 180D is grounded.The entire rear frame 180 thereby becomes zero potential. Moreover,because one of the frames 180A to 180D is electrically connected to thebezel, the bezel also becomes zero potential.

Because the bezel and the rear frame 180 thereby become zero potential,it becomes difficult for electrostatic discharge to occur in the bezelor the rear frame 180, and it becomes possible to protect componentsinside the liquid crystal display device from electromagneticinterference.

RELATED ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 2007-11012

However, in recent years, configuring the rear frame from resin isdesirable for cost reduction. However, when the rear frame is configuredof resin, the rear frame and the bezel are not electrically connectedbecause resin has insulating properties. In this case, it becomes easierfor electrostatic discharge or electromagnetic interference to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a displaydevice that can enact countermeasures against electrostatic dischargeand/or electromagnetic interference even when a rear frame is configuredof resin.

According to one or more embodiments, a display device may comprise: adisplay that displays images; a light source that irradiates lighttoward a back surface of the display; a metal material that radiatesheat generated by the light source; a protective part provided inproximity to the perimeter of the display, wherein the protective partopposes the metal material; and a conductive part interposed between andelectrically connects the protective part and the metal material.

According to one or more embodiments of this configuration, for example,the conductive part electrically connects the protective part thatopposes the metal material and the metal material. Because of this, theprotective part and the metal material become zero potential, staticelectricity becomes less likely to occur in the protective part and themetal material, and components inside the display device can beprotected from electromagnetic interference.

As a result, for example, countermeasures against electrostaticdischarge and/or electromagnetic interference can be enacted even when arear frame is configured of resin.

According to one or more embodiments, the protective part may comprisean opening, and the conductive part may be interposed between theprotective part and the metal material and blocks the opening.

According to one or more embodiments this configuration, for example,because the opening is formed on the protective part opposing the metalmaterial, and the conductive part contacts the protective part andblocks the opening, a worker or the like looking in the opening canvisually recognize if the conductive part is inadvertently not disposedduring an assembly process of the display device.

According to one or more embodiments, the protective part may comprise:a conductive layer; a plating layer layered on a front surface of theconductive layer; and another plating layer layered on a back surface ofthe conductive layer, and the opening of the protective part may beformed by applying a burring process to the protective part.

According to one or more embodiments of this configuration, for example,the protective part is formed by layering the plating layer on the frontand back surfaces of the conductive layer, and the opening of theprotective layer opposing the metal material is formed by applying theburring process.

As a result, for example, the conductive layer is exposed in the openingeven when the front and back surfaces of the protective part opposingthe metal material are plating layers with conductivity, and theprotective part opposing the metal material and the metal material cantherefore be electrically connected.

According to one or more embodiments, the metal material may comprise acut and raised portion formed in a direction toward the protective part,and the conductive part may contact the cut and raised portion.

As a result, for example, because the cut and raised portion is formedin the direction toward the protective part on the metal material, alength of the conductive part can be reduced by a height of the cut andraised portion.

As a result, for example, a reduction in cost can be provided.

According to one or more embodiments, the metal material may furthercomprise a raised part formed in a direction toward the protective part,and the conductive part may contact the raised part.

According to one or more embodiments of this configuration, because theraised part is formed in the direction toward the protective part on themetal material, the length of the conductive part can be reduced by alength of the raised part.

As a result, for example, a reduction in cost can be provided.

According to one or more embodiments, the conductive part may be agasket having conductivity.

As a result, for example, because the conductive material is formed bythe conventionally existing gasket having conductivity, there is no needto create a new, dedicated conductive part. A reduction in cost, forexample, can therefore be provided.

According to one or more embodiments, the conductive part may beelastic.

As a result, for example, because the conductive part has elasticity,the conductive part firmly contacts a discharge plate and the protectivepart opposing the discharge plate. As a result, a firm electricalconnection between the discharge plate and the protective part can beperformed.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention,countermeasures against electrostatic discharge and/or electromagneticinterference can be enacted even when the rear frame is configured ofresin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an external appearance of aliquid crystal display device according to one or more embodiments of afirst example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exploded state ofthe liquid crystal display device in FIG. 1 according to one or moreembodiments of the first example.

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view representing a main portion of aliquid crystal display according to one or more embodiments of the firstexample.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view illustrating a state where a substratemounting part and a heat radiating plate are mounted to a rear frameaccording to one or more embodiments of the first example.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating of a configuration of a mainportion of the heat radiating plate according to one or more embodimentsof the first example.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1 according toone or more embodiments of the first example.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view representing a main portion of a liquidcrystal display device according to one or more embodiments of a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a rear frame of aconventional liquid crystal display device according to one or moreembodiments of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail belowusing drawings. In the present embodiments a liquid crystal displaydevice is exemplified as a display device relating to the embodiments ofthe present invention, but the present invention is not limited theretoand may use any device that seeks countermeasures against electrostaticdischarge and/or electromagnetic interference.

Furthermore, each embodiment described below illustrates a comprehensiveor specific example of the present invention. Components, disposedpositions and connection modes of the components, and the likeillustrated in the embodiments below are but an example and not meant tolimit the present invention. Moreover, among the components in theembodiments below, components not described in the independent claims,which provide the highest level description, will be described asoptional components.

FIRST EXAMPLE (Configuration of Liquid Crystal Display Device)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an externalappearance of a liquid crystal display device relating to one or moreembodiments of a first example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is anexploded perspective view illustrating an exploded state of the liquidcrystal display device in FIG. 1. In FIGS. 1 and 2, “X1 direction”represents a left direction and “X2 direction” a right direction.Moreover, “Y1 direction” represents an up direction and “Y2 direction” adown direction. Moreover, “Z1 direction” represents a front directionand “Z2 direction” a rear direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a liquid crystal display device 10 is providedwith a front cabinet 11, bezels (protective parts) 12A to 12D, a liquidcrystal panel (display) 13, a mold frame 14, an optical sheet 15, alight guide plate 16, a heat radiating plate (metal material) 17, a rearframe 18, and a rear cover 19. The optical sheet 15 is configured from aplurality of members such as a diffusion plate.

The bezels 12A to 12D are provided along (in proximity to) an outerframe (perimeter) of the liquid crystal panel 13 to protect the outerframe. Among the bezels 12A to 12D, the bezel 12A on a right side is anopposing bezel (opposing protective part) that opposes the heatradiating plate 17. Therefore, the bezel 12A on the right side isreferred to below as an opposing bezel 12A.

A frame configured from the bezels 12A to 12D is formed by mounting thebezel on the right side (i.e., the opposing bezel) 12A, the bezel 12B ona left side, the bezel 12C on a top side, and the bezel 13D on a bottomside to the outer frame of the liquid crystal panel 13.

The mold frame 14 is a frame for supporting the frame of the liquidcrystal panel 13 from a back surface side thereof. As will be describedbelow, a space that disposes the liquid crystal panel 13 and a rib forforming a space that disposes the optical sheet 15 are provided on themold frame 14.

The light guide plate 16 is provided on the heat radiating plate 17 sothat a right end thereof opposes an LED 41 (see FIG. 4). The light guideplate 16 is configured of, for example, acrylic resin or the like, andguides light irradiated from the LED 41 to a reflective sheet that willbe described below.

The heat radiating plate 17 is formed of metal with high conductivity,such as aluminum or the like. As will be described below, a plurality ofLEDs 41 are disposed in a vertical direction on a right side of the heatradiating plate 17. The heat radiating plate 17 radiates heat generatedby each LED 41 into the atmosphere.

The rear frame 18 is formed of resin having insulating properties, suchas plastic.

(Configuration of Main Portion of the Liquid Crystal Display)

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view representing a main portion of aliquid crystal display relating to one or more embodiments of the firstexample of the present invention. FIG. 3B is a perspective viewillustrating a state where a substrate mounting part 20 and the heatradiating plate 17 are mounted to the rear frame 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, an opening 18A into which the substratemounting part 20 is fitted is formed on the rear frame 18. The substratemounting part 20 is formed of a conductive body such as aluminum, and asubstrate (not illustrated) mounted with electronic components ismounted on a back surface thereof. The substrate mounting part 20 isfitted into the opening 18A with the substrate mounted on the backsurface thereof.

Furthermore, a heat radiating plate mounting part 18B with a shape thatfollows an outline of the heat radiating plate 17 is formed on the rearframe 18. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the substrate mounting part 20 andthe heat radiating plate 17 make contact when the heat radiating platemounting part 18B is mounted on the heat radiating plate 17 in a statewhere the substrate mounting part 20 is fitted into the opening 18A. Thesubstrate mounting part 20 and the heat radiating plate 17 are therebyelectrically connected.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configurationof a main portion of the heat radiating plate 17. The heat radiatingplate 17 is bent 90° relative to a top surface of the heat radiatingplate 17 in a bent portion 170 that is parallel to a long direction ofthe heat radiating plate 17. A bent portion 171 that extends in the longdirection of the heat radiating plate 17 is thereby formed.

An LED bar (light source) 40 is provided on a short direction side ofthe heat radiating plate 17 on the bent portion 171 so as to irradiatelight from the LED 41 toward a short direction of the heat radiatingplate 17. The plurality of LEDs 41 is linearly disposed on the LED bar40. This LED bar 40 is disposed along the long direction of the heatradiating plate 17. The light guide plate 16 is disposed on the heatradiating plate 17 so that a lateral surface thereof follows along theLED bar 40.

Furthermore, a raised part 17B is formed on the heat radiating plate 17.Functions of the raised part 17B will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1. In FIG. 5, anillustration and description of the front cabinet 11 will be omitted forease of the description. Moreover, in FIG. 5, “X1 direction” representsa left direction and “X2 direction” a right direction of the liquidcrystal display device 10. Moreover, “Y1 direction” represents an updirection and “Y2 direction” a down direction of the liquid crystaldisplay device 10. Moreover, “Z2 direction” represents a rear directionof the liquid crystal display device 10.

As described above, the heat radiating plate 17 is mounted on a topsurface of the rear frame 18. The light guide plate 16 is disposed onthe top surface of the heat radiating plate 17 via a cushion member 34.The reflective sheet 31 is disposed so as to cover a back surface of thelight guide plate 16. The mold frame 14 is disposed on the light guideplate 16.

The mold frame 14 is provided with a first rib 14A, a second rib 14B,and a frame body 14C. The first rib 14A secures a region where theliquid crystal panel 13 is disposed by a tip of the first rib 14Acontacting the opposing bezel 12A. The liquid crystal panel 13 isdisposed in this region.

The second rib 14B secures a region where the optical sheet 15 isdisposed by contacting an upper front surface of the light guide plate16. The optical sheet 15 is disposed in this region.

The frame body 14C supports the liquid crystal panel 13 from a backsurface of the liquid crystal panel 13 via a cushion member 32 formed ofresin such as a high-density micro-cell polymer sheet (PORON) orsilicon.

The opposing bezel 12A is disposed so that an upper portion thereofopposes the heat radiating plate 17. A cut and raised portion 17A isformed in a direction toward the opposing bezel 12A on an end portion ofthe heat radiating plate 17. A resin 33 for protecting an inner side ofa right portion of the opposing bezel 12A is disposed between the rightportion of the opposing bezel 12A and the cut and raised portion 17A.

An opening 120 is formed on an upper portion side of the opposing bezel12A. A conductive member 30 (conductive part) is disposed between theupper portion side of the opposing bezel 12A and the cut and raisedportion 17A. This conductive member 30 is configured from, for example,a gasket having conductivity and contacts the upper portion side of theopposing bezel 12A and the cut and raised portion 17. The opposing bezel12A and the heat radiating plate 17 are thereby electrically connected.

When configuring the conductive member 30 from the gasket, the gaskethas elasticity. If the conductive member 30 has elasticity, theconductive member 30 firmly contacts the opposing bezel 12A and the cutand raised portion 17A due to elasticity.

(Operation of the Liquid Crystal Display Device)

Next, an operation of the liquid crystal display device according to oneor more embodiments will be briefly described. In this liquid crystaldisplay device 10, lighting the plurality of LEDs 41 (see FIG. 4) emitslight from the plurality of LEDs 41.

The light from the plurality of LEDs 41 becomes incident to the lateralsurface of the light guide plate 16. The light incident to the lateralsurface of the light guide plate 16 is transmitted inside the lightguide plate 16 while being reflected by the reflective sheet 31 and isemitted in a front direction from the top surface of the light guideplate 16. The light emitted from the top surface of the light guideplate 16 becomes incident to the back surface of the liquid crystalpanel 13 after passing through the optical sheet 15.

In the liquid crystal display device 10 of such a configuration, the LED41 generates heat. This heat is transmitted to the heat radiating plate17. The heat transmitted to the heat radiating plate 17 is radiated intothe atmosphere.

As described above, according to one or more embodiments of the firstexample of the invention, interposing the conductive member 30 betweenthe opposing bezel 12A and the heat radiating plate 17 electricallyconnects the opposing bezel 12A and the heat radiating plate 17.

Because the opposing bezel 12A, the bezels 12B to 12D electricallyconnected to the opposing bezel 12A, and the heat radiating plate 17thereby become zero potential, it becomes difficult for staticelectricity to form in the bezels 12A to 12D or the heat radiating plate17, and it becomes possible to protect components inside the liquidcrystal display device 1 (for example, the liquid crystal panel) fromelectromagnetic interference.

As a result, countermeasures against electrostatic discharge and/orelectromagnetic interference can be enacted even when the rear frame 18is configured of resin.

Furthermore, a shape of the heat radiating plate 17 does not need to bemade complex for screwing because there is no need to screw together theopposing bezel 12A and the heat radiating plate 17. As a result, afinishing precision of the heat radiating plate 17 improves, and theheat radiating plate 17 becomes less likely to warp. Because anirradiation range of the LED 41 thereby becomes less likely to change,reduction in image quality on the liquid display panel 13 can bereduced.

Furthermore, the conductive member 30 is exposed from the opening 120because the opening 120 is formed on a front portion of the opposingbezel 12A. Forgetting to dispose the conductive member 30 in an assemblyconfiguration of the liquid crystal display device 10 can thereby bereduced by a worker or the like looking in the opening 120.

Furthermore, a length of the conductive member 30 can be reduced by aheight of the cut and raised portion 17A because the cut and raisedportion 17A is formed on the heat radiating plate 17. As a result, areduction in cost can be provided.

In FIG. 5, the conductive member 30 can be prevented from falling off ifthe conductive member 30 is clamped and fixed by the resin 33 and themold frame 14.

SECOND EXAMPLE

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view representing a main portion of a liquidcrystal display device relating to one or more embodiments of a secondembodiment of the present invention. This cross-sectional view is across-sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 1. Moreover, the samereference numerals will be used for the same components as in FIG. 5 anddescriptions thereof omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, a raised part 17B is provided in a directiontoward an opposing bezel 12A on a heat radiating plate 17. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, this raised part 17B is configured by acylindrical metal member being mounted by welding on a top surface ofthe heat radiating plate 17.

An optical sheet 15 is disposed above the raised part 17B. Moreover, alight guide plate 16 on which this optical sheet 15 is mounted and areflective sheet 31 are also disposed above the raised part 17B.

A mold frame 140 supports a liquid crystal panel 13 from a back surfaceof the liquid crystal panel 13 in the same manner as the mold frame 14described above. The mold frame 140 has a third rib 14C. A tip of thethird rib 14C secures a region that disposes the liquid crystal panel 13by contacting the opposing bezel 12A.

A cushion member 32 formed of resin such as high-density micro-cellpolymer sheet (PORON) or silicon is disposed on a front surface and theback surface of the liquid crystal panel 13 and protects the front andback surfaces of the liquid crystal panel 13.

The heat radiating plate 17 has a bent portion 17C configured by bendinga metal plate, which increases a surface area of the heat radiatingplate 17. A radiating effect of the heat radiating plate 17 is therebyimproved.

Meanwhile, an opening 12 with a rim 121A raised in a back surfacedirection of the liquid crystal display 10 is formed on the opposingbezel 12A by a burring process. A conductive layer is thereby exposed ata tip 1210 of the rim 121A even when the opposing bezel 12A is formed bylayering a plating layer on a front and rear surface of the conductivelayer.

Moreover, a conductive member 30 is disposed between the raised part 17Bof the heat radiating plate 17 and the opposing bezel 12A, makingcontact with both.

The conductive member 30 is configured of a gasket having conductivityand elasticity. The conductive member 30 therefore is fitted to theraised part 17B of the heat radiating plate 17 and the rim 121A of theopening 121 of the opposing bezel 12A. Moreover, the conductive member30 electrically connects the heat radiating plate 17 and the opposingbezel 12A because the conductive layer is exposed at the tip of the rim121A.

It thereby becomes possible to provide the liquid crystal display device10 that exhibits the same or similar effects as one or more embodimentsof the first example described above.

A switch configuration and the display device relating to the presentinvention are described above based on one or more embodiments, but thepresent invention is not limited to such embodiments. The presentinvention may include forms obtained by applying various modificationsenvisioned by those skilled in the art to the embodiments, and otherforms obtained by combining the components of the embodiments.

The present invention is applicable to a device such as, for example, aliquid crystal display device, where electrostatic and/or dischargecountermeasures are desired. Although the disclosure has been describedwith respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled inthe art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that variousother embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present inventionshould be limited only by the attached claims

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Liquid crystal display device-   12A to 12D Bezel-   13 Liquid crystal panel-   17 Heat radiating plate-   17A Cut and raised portion-   17B Raised part-   18 Rear frame-   30 Conductive member-   40 LED bar-   120, 121 Opening

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device, comprising: a display thatdisplays images; a light source that irradiates light toward a backsurface of the display; a metal material that radiates heat generated bythe light source; a protective part provided in proximity to a perimeterof the display, wherein the protective part opposes the metal material;and a conductive part interposed between and electrically connects theprotective part and the metal material.
 2. The display device accordingto claim 1, wherein the protective part comprises an opening, and theconductive part is interposed between the protective part and the metalmaterial and blocks the opening.
 3. The display device according toclaim 1, wherein the protective part comprises: a conductive layer; aplating layer layered on a front surface of the conductive layer; andanother plating layer layered on a back surface of the conductive layer,and an opening of the protective part is formed by applying a burringprocess to the protective part.
 4. The display device according to claim1, wherein the metal material comprises a cut and raised portion formedin a direction toward the protective part, and the conductive partcontacts the cut and raised portion.
 5. The display device according toclaim 1, wherein the metal material further comprises a raised partformed in a direction toward the protective part, and the conductivepart contacts the raised part.
 6. The display device according to claim1, wherein the conductive part is a gasket having conductivity.
 7. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive part iselastic.
 8. A method for forming a display device, comprising: providinga light source that irradiates light toward a back surface of thedisplay; providing a metal material that radiates heat generated by thelight source; providing a protective part in proximity to a perimeter ofthe display, wherein the protective part opposes the metal material; andinterposing a conductive part between and electrically connecting theprotective part and the metal material.
 9. The method according to claim8, further comprising: forming an opening on the protective part; andinterposing the conductive part between the protective part and themetal material and blocking the opening.
 10. The method according toclaim 8, wherein the protective part is formed by layering a platinglayer on a front surface of a conductive layer and another plating layeron a back surface of the conductive layer, and an opening of theprotective part is formed by applying a burring process to theprotective part.
 11. The method according to claim 8, furthercomprising: forming a cut and raised portion on the metal material in adirection toward the protective part so that the conductive partcontacts the cut and raised portion.
 12. The method according to claim8, wherein forming a raised part formed on the metal material in adirection toward the protective part so that the conductive partcontacts the raised part.
 13. The method according to claim 8, whereinthe conductive part is a gasket having conductivity.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 8, wherein the conductive part is elastic.
 15. Thedisplay device according to claim 2, wherein the protective partcomprises: a conductive layer; a plating layer layered on a frontsurface of the conductive layer; and another plating layer layered on aback surface of the conductive layer, and the opening of the protectivepart is formed by applying a burring process to the protective part. 16.The display device according to claim 2, wherein the metal materialcomprises a cut and raised portion formed in a direction toward theprotective part, and the conductive part contacts the cut and raisedportion.
 17. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the metalmaterial comprises a cut and raised portion formed in a direction towardthe protective part, and the conductive part contacts the cut and raisedportion.
 18. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the metalmaterial further comprises a raised part formed in a direction towardthe protective part, and the conductive part contacts the raised part.19. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the metal materialfurther comprises a raised part formed in a direction toward theprotective part, and the conductive part contacts the raised part. 20.The method according to claim 9, wherein the protective part is formedby layering a plating layer on a front surface of a conductive layer andanother plating layer on a back surface of the conductive layer, and theopening of the protective part is formed by applying a burring processto the protective part.